Musings of a scifi/fantasy fangirl // Women of Middle-earth database

Tolkien

A cold voice answered: ‘Come not between the Nazgûl and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.”

A sword rang as it was drawn. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.”

“Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!”

Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. “But no living man am I!”

Like this:

“Wait! Wait!” [the thrush] said to him. “The moon is rising. Look for the hollow of the left breast as he flies and turns above you!”

“Arrow!” said the bowman. “Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true King under the mountain, go now and speed well!”

Like this:

When spring unfolds the beechen-leaf and sap is in the bough,
When light is on the wild-wood stream, and wind is on the brow,
When stride is long, and breath is deep, and keen the mountain air,
Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is fair!

Entwife:

When Spring is come to garth and field, and corn is in the blade,
When blossom like a shining snow is on the orchard laid,
When sun and shower upon the earth with fragrance fill the air,
I’ll linger here, and will not come, because my land is fair!

Ent:

When Summer lies upon the world, and in a noon of gold
Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold,
When woodland halls are green and cool, and wind is in the West,
Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is best!

Entwife:

When Summer warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown;
When straw is gold, and ear is white, and harvest comes to town;
When honey spills, and apple swells, though wind be in the West,
I’ll linger here beneath the Sun, because my land is best!

Ent:

When Winter comes, the winter wild that hill and wood shall slay;
When trees shall fall and starless night devour the sunless day;
When wind is in the deadly East, then in the bitter rain
I’ll look for thee, and call to thee; I’ll come to thee again!

Entwife:

When Winter comes, and singing ends; when darkness falls at last;
When broken is the barren bough, and light and labour past;
I’ll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again:
Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain!

Both:

Together we will take the road that leads into the West,
And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest.

——-

(Sung to Merry and Pippin by Treebeard in The Two Towers, written by JRR Tolkien)

She is the greatest of the Vala, her spouse is Manwë and dwells with him in Taniquetil, the highest mountain in Valinor. Varda is said to be too beautiful for words and hears more clearly than all other ears. She created the stars and constellations including the Valacirca, seven stars set in the sky. It was also called “Durin’s Crown” and was the symbol on the door of Moria. Melkor fears and hates Varda the most out of the Valar.

Varda and Manwe in Valinor by Ted Nasmith

The Elves were especially fond of Varda and often praise her in songs. Some more famous hymns include:

Éowyn “One Who Delights in Horses”
also called the White Lady of Rohan and the Shield-maiden of Rohan, she was the beautiful and golden-haired niece of King Théoden and sister of Éomer. She was born in 2995 Third Age, her mother Théodwyn and her father Éomund both died when she was an infant and so she and Éomer were adopted by their uncle Théoden. Éowyn was described as being “stern as steel, a daughter of kings”. She was raised in the land of horses and warriors, therefore, she became an excellent rider and fighter, being skilled with the blade.

During the War of the Ring, Éowyn became very concerned for her uncle, who was under the influence of Saruman and Wormtongue. After Théoden was broken from the spell by Gandalf the White, he and Éomer left to fight at Helm’s Deep. Éowyn ruled Rohan in his place because the people loved her. However, Éowyn felt like she was always left behind and wanted the chance of doing great deeds. She also fell in love with Aragorn, and was grieved when she found out he was attempting the “Paths of the Dead”. Éowyn knew she could never have his love and seemed to give up hope. In fact, Merry said he saw in the eyes of Dernhelm as “one without hope who goes in search of death.” Upset that she was always left behind from battles, Éowyn disguised herself as a man (alias Dernhelm, old english for ‘secret helmet’) and secretly took Merry with her. Merry, at this time, did not know it was Éowyn.

Eowyn vs the Witch-King by David Demaret

They fought with the Rohirrim at Pelennor Fields and achieved the greatest fame of any warrior and did what no man could do. When met with the Witch-King, Éowyn said, “Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!” A cold voice answered, “Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn…” A sword rang as it was drawn. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.” [said Éowyn] “Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!” [said the Witch-King] “No living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” She slew the winged-beast of the Witch-King but he struck back and shattered her shield and broke her arm. Merry then stabbed the Witch-king from behind, killing him. Éowyn then slew the Witch-king but fainted because she was stricken with the poison “Black Breath” of the Ringwraith. Her shield-arm was also broken by the mace of the Witch-King, but the words of Glorfindel’s prohecy came true, that no man would slay the Witch-king. Afterwards in Rohan, Éowyn was known as the Lady of the Shield-arm.

After King Théoden died, Éomer discovered his sister on the battlefield and stood as if pierced by the heart. He had no idea how she had come there and thought she was dead. However, since she was stricken with the “Black Breath”, it only seemed as if she were dead. But Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth saw her and said she still lived. She was brought out of this poisoned sleep by Aragorn using the magical herb Athelas. While recovering from her sickness, Éowyn befriended Faramir (who also was recovering) and he fell in love with her. They spent much time together, walking around the Houses of Healing and talking with each other. Faramir saw that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart and was impressed by her deeds in battle. Éowyn’s infatuation with Aragorn finally ended, and Éowyn and Faramir were married in 3019. Faramir became the Prince and Guard of Ithilien, and Éowyn was then known as the Lady of Ithilien. There they lived together in Emyn Arnen for many years and had a son named Elboron and a grandson named Barahir.

Éowyn & Faramir Quotes from “The Steward and the King” chapter.

» “It is not lack of care that grieves me. No houses could be fairer, for those who desire to be healed. But I cannot lie in sloth, idle, caged. I looked for death in battle. But I have not died, and battle still goes on.” — Éowyn

» “I wish to ride to war like my brother, Éomer, or better like Théoden the king, for he died and has both honor and peace.” — Éowyn

» “If you will stay in this house in our care, lady, and take your rest, then you shall walk in this garden in the sun, as you will; and you shall look east, whither all our hopes have gone. It would ease my care, if you would speak to me, or walk at whiles with me.” — Faramir

» “Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither maiden nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.” — Faramir

» “Shadow lies on my still. Look not to me for healing! I am a shieldmaiden and my hand is ungentle. ” — Éowyn

» “Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!” — Faramir

» “Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn! But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and have yourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a lady beautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to tell. And I love you. Once I pitied your sorrow. But now, were you sorrowless, without fear or any lack, were you the blissful Queen of Gondor, still I would love you. Éowyn, do you not love me?” — Faramir

» “That is well, for I am not a king. Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the White Lady comes.” — Faramir

» “Then must I leave my own people, man of Gondor? And would you have your proud folk say of you: “There goes a lord who tamed a wild shieldmaiden of the North! Was there no woman of the race of Númenor to choose?” — Éowyn

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”

“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”

“So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.”

“May the hair on your toes never fall out!”

“Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!”

“Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the key-hole.”

“Truly songs and tales fall utterly short of the reality, O Smaug the Chiefest and greatest of Calamities.”

“If the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, he was ever eager for more, since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old.”

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world” – Thorin Oakenshield